FOR CAREGIVERS
Becoming a Registered Home Care Aide in California
If you’re starting a career in home care, California requires you to be listed on the state’s Home Care Aide (HCA) Registry before you can work through a licensed agency like PrimeCare. Here’s exactly what that involves, and how we help you through it.
TL;DR
- HCA registration is a California Department of Social Services (CDSS) requirement, not a PrimeCare requirement
- You’ll complete a background check (LiveScan fingerprinting), a TB clearance, and pay a one-time $35 state fee
- You must be 18 or older with a valid ID
- Registration is renewed every two years
- PrimeCare In-Home Support’s onboarding team walks you through each step and can answer questions along the way
What is a Registered Home Care Aide?
A Home Care Aide (HCA) is someone listed on California’s Home Care Aide Registry who is authorized to provide non-medical care, things like companionship, personal care, meal prep, and light housekeeping, through a licensed Home Care Organization (HCO). This is different from a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Home Health Aide (HHA), which involve medical tasks and a separate certification pathway through the California Department of Public Health. PrimeCare is licensed as a non-medical HCO, so every caregiver we place must be a Registered HCA in good standing.
The Registration Steps
1 Confirm you’re eligible
You must be at least 18 years old and have one of the following forms of ID: a California driver’s license, a California ID card, an Alien Registration Card, or an out-of-state picture ID. Certain criminal history disqualifies applicants, so it’s worth reviewing the state’s eligibility rules before you begin.
2 Submit your application
You’ll complete the Application for Home Care Aide Registration (HCS 100) along with a Criminal Record Statement (LIC 508), plus a $35 non-refundable fee payable to the California Department of Social Services. If you’re already listed on the TrustLine Registry or have a background clearance on file with a licensed facility, you may be able to transfer that clearance instead of starting fresh.
3 Complete LiveScan fingerprinting
This is a criminal background check run through the Department of Justice and FBI. PrimeCare can point you to a nearby LiveScan location and let you know what to bring.
4 Get your TB clearance
All caregivers need a negative TB test result on file, and it needs to stay current, so plan to renew it periodically rather than treating it as a one-time step.
5 Wait for registry confirmation
Once the state processes your application, you’ll receive confirmation that you’re listed on the Home Care Aide Registry. From there, PrimeCare can move forward with placing you.
How PrimeCare Supports You Through It
Paperwork and fingerprinting appointments aren’t anyone’s idea of a fun afternoon. Our onboarding team helps you understand which forms you need, answers questions if anything on the application is unclear, and keeps you posted on where things stand with your registration. You’re not figuring this out alone.
Our goal is that the paperwork never becomes the reason someone gives up on a caregiving career.
Don’t Forget: Renewal
HCA registration isn’t a one-and-done. It expires every two years on the anniversary of your initial registration date, and you’re responsible for renewing it on time and keeping your mailing address current with the state. PrimeCare will send you reminders as your renewal date approaches, but it’s worth marking your own calendar too.
Ready to start your caregiving career?
Reach out to our team and we’ll walk you through what’s next.